What solution is used for nickel plating?

The solution used for nickel electroplating is a salt-nickel chloride dissolved in water. This solution is called the electrolyte. The anode, or the positive electrode, consists of a rod of pure nickel. The cathode, or the negative electrode, consists of the metal on which the nickel is to be electroplated.

When a current is switched on from a battery or power supply, ions of nickel pass into the solution and move toward the cathode. These nickel ions are deposited onto the metal at the cathode. Electroplating of nickel is a slow process and takes several hours.

Nickel electroplating increases the resistance to corrosion for the base metal. The metal on which the nickel is electroplated becomes harder, more durable and more ductile.